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After a day of radio and social media speculation with guesses as wide ranging as Hologram Tupac to the Rolling Stones, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Forum officials announced Billy Joel will play a concert here on Jan. 17.

While videos of Joel performing were screened, Buckhorn called his music timeless.

"I would have never gotten a date in college if not for Billy Joel's music," he said.

The first hint the Piano Man was the scheduled performer came during refreshments before the Wednesday afternoon news conference when cookies resembling a piano keyboard were served. There also was a Steinway piano in the venue’s lobby.

It was either going to be Joel, Jerry Lee Lewis or Hologram Liberace.

Tickets, ranging from $39.50 to $119.50, will go on sale through Ticketmaster Nov. 15.

The six-time Grammy Award winner hasn’t toured the United States since he co-headlined several dates with Elton John in 2009 including a sold-out stop at the Forum.

Joel’s last concert was the 12-12-12 charity performance at Madison Square Garden for victims of Superstorm Sandy.